summertime porch

Something that makes me SO happy is hanging baskets of petunias in the summer. I never feel like I can spend the money on those huge baskets already full and beautiful, but I always want them! For a few years I made my own in the spring and that was fun, but I almost spent the same amount of money making those as I would just buying a couple from a nursery. Well, this year I didn't think I could spend anything. But a few months ago I bought a few flowers for the large pot I already had that's in the bottom right corner. The next month I bought fabric for some pillows on the swing. I think I also bought a cute sign to replace the chipping "Welcome" sign I had by my door for $5. Then the next month I came across a wilting pot of petunias at Walmart that was on clearance. So I took a chance and bought it, then cut it down the middle and put it in the two hanging baskets I already had. We've had the clematis for several years, but it's never looked this good. Rich has been training it up the porch pillar and I just love it!

You can't see the sign very well, due to the morning sun's glare, but it says "Bless this nest". It's bright blue with pink and yellow and orange and a cute little bird on it. I'm pretty sure I spent around $30 on the whole porch. I'd say, considering one decent basket is at least $20 anywhere you go, that I did pretty well! I absolutely love coming home and seeing my flowering porch!